12
Apr
Apr
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CRACKS DOWN ON VISA OVERSTAYERS WITH $15 DAILY FINE AND RE-ENTRY BANS
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 weeks
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- 2 min read
The Federal Government has announced that travellers who overstay their visas in Nigeria will face a daily fine of $15 and risk being banned from re-entering the country for up to five years, effective August 2025. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement session in Lagos. Although the new penalties will technically take effect in May 2025, a grace period will be observed until August to allow affected individuals ample time to comply. “This will allow visa holders time to adjust to the new policy before the full enforcement begins in August,” Mr Tunji-Ojo said. The Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 introduces a structured penalty system designed to curb visa abuse. Under the new rules, visa overstayers will incur a $15 fine for each extra day they remain in the country after their visa expires. Extended overstays will attract harsher consequences: “The penalty system is part of broader efforts to ensure compliance, protect national security, and promote responsible migration,” Mr Tunji-Ojo stated. The Nigeria Immigration Service will be responsible for enforcing the new policy and ensuring its effectiveness. The Minister emphasized that the new policy is part of a wider strategy to improve migration governance. With this development, the Federal Government aims to regulate visa usage and promote compliance with immigration laws.
